208: Important news

"You and Meng Bi are cousins, connected by blood. Why should I believe you?"

Yao Delong's voice remained cold, carrying a trace of imperceptible killing intent.

Hearing this, Meng Lang snapped his head up, his face full of urgency and "sincerity."

Without hesitation, he raised his right hand, pressing three fingers together toward the sky.

His voice carried a decisiveness that was almost like a curse or an oath:

"I, Meng Lang, hereby swear upon my own Great Dao!

Every word I say to Senior Brother Yao next is the truth, without a single falsehood!

If there is any deception, may I be struck by heavenly lightning, suffer the backlash of Heart Demons, have my path to immortality severed forever, and fall into eternal damnation!"

Boom!

In the unseen realm, it felt as if an invisible shackle had fallen, wrapping itself around Meng Lang's Divine Soul.

For a Cultivator, a Dao Oath was extremely binding; once broken,

at best, one's Dao Heart would be clouded and cultivation would stagnate; at worst, it would truly invite heavenly punishment, leading to death and the dissipation of one's Dao!

Yao Delong watched the faint fluctuations of dao rhyme rising from Meng Lang due to the oath,

and the coldness in his eyes finally softened slightly.

He scanned the silent surroundings to confirm no one was eavesdropping before saying deeply, "Come in."

The two entered the side hall of the courtyard, one after the other.

Yao Delong did not light a lamp; moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

"Speak." Yao Delong sat in the main seat, his gaze like a torch, locked onto Meng Lang.

Meng Lang did not dare to sit, maintaining a respectful posture.

He took a deep breath and lowered his voice, though his speech remained rapid:

"Senior Brother Yao, Meng Bi and Third Prince Xiao Chen have already plotted everything!

They intend to make a lethal move against you in the 'God Burial Abyss Secret Realm'! It will be a fight to the death!"

Yao Delong's pupils constricted slightly, but his face remained calm.

No wonder Xiao Chen had not hesitated to use a precious concealment Magic Treasure to surround and kill him in the Netherworld Secret Realm;

it wasn't simply to eliminate him for points, but because he harbored murderous intent!

Seeing that Yao Delong did not interrupt, Meng Lang felt slightly more at ease and continued:

"That trash Meng Bi knows he is no match for you, so he has already enlisted his father Marquis Zhenyuan's trusted death soldier—'Scar'!

This person's cultivation has already reached the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, and he is extremely skilled in concealment, tracking, and assassination.

He is ruthless, a specialized executioner who handles all of Meng Bi's dirty business! With him acting, it will be impossible to guard against!"

Mid Nascent Soul Stage! Skilled in assassination!

Yao Delong felt a chill in his heart. The gap between Golden Core and Nascent Soul was a chasm!

The Divine Ability and methods of a Nascent Soul Cultivator were far beyond what a Golden Core could compare to,

especially a Mid Nascent Soul Stage who specialized in assassination; the threat was immense!

"And there's more!"

Meng Lang's voice carried a hint of trembling, clearly aware of the danger involved.

"This God Burial Abyss Secret Realm exploration is a joint operation between the Yin Yang Sect and the Moyang Sect!

Third Prince Xiao Chen's mother is the Hall Revered Master of the Moyang Sect's Dharma Transmission Hall! Her status is venerable!

From what I know, she has already arranged helpers for Xiao Chen among the Moyang Sect Disciples!

When the time comes, the power Xiao Chen can mobilize within the Secret Realm will be far more than just the people seen on the surface!

Senior Brother Yao, if you enter the Secret Realm, you will surely be surrounded by enemies on all sides, with killing intent at every step!"

Moyang Sect! The son of the Dharma Transmission Hall Revered Master!

Yao Delong's gaze darkened completely. This was no longer just a personal grudge;

it now involved the internal power struggles of the high-level leadership of two major Sects!

Xiao Chen's background was even deeper and more troublesome than he had anticipated!

A brief silence fell over the side hall, broken only by Meng Lang's slightly heavy breathing.

Under the moonlight, Yao Delong's face appeared exceptionally cold in the shadows.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Yao Delong finally spoke, his voice betraying no emotion.

Meng Lang licked his dry lips, his eyes flashing with undisguised ambition and calculation:

"First, it is naturally to apologize to you, Senior Brother Yao!

Before, I, Meng Lang, was blind and foolish, my heart clouded by greed as I coveted your Opportunity and offended you!

I am here to sincerely repent and ask you to show mercy and let me go!"

He bowed deeply once more.

"Second," he raised his head, the fire of ambition burning in his eyes, "and most importantly!

Now, Senior Brother Yao, you and Meng Bi are already like fire and water, in a situation where only one can live!

Although I, Meng Lang, am untalented, I can see the situation clearly! I am placing my bets on your side!

As long as Meng Bi dies or is completely crippled, who else but me could take the position of the Heir of Marquis Zhenyuan?

At that time, I will be the future Revered Master of the Zhenyuan Marquiss Residence!

If you ever have a use for me, Senior Brother Yao, whether it be resources, intelligence,

or anything else, just say the word, and I, Meng Lang, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

These words fully exposed his nature as a base person and his raw ambition, yet they also seemed exceptionally "sincere."

There were no high-sounding excuses, only a naked exchange of interests and an offer of allegiance.

Yao Delong watched Meng Lang quietly, thoughts racing through his mind.

What Meng Lang said had clear logic and a definite motive, and with the constraint of the Dao Oath, the credibility was very high.

If the other party really wanted to set a trap for him, there was no need for such an elaborate ruse, let alone swearing such a heavy oath.

This was more like an opportunist who, after seeing the situation clearly, chose

to bet on a high-potential stock and secure the maximum benefit for himself.

"I will believe your words for now."

Yao Delong spoke slowly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority,

"Remember your oath. If there are any further developments regarding Meng Bi, Xiao Chen,

and especially that 'Scar' and the Moyang Sect's helpers, inform me immediately."

"Yes! Yes! Rest assured, Senior Brother Yao! Meng Lang understands!"

Meng Lang was overjoyed to hear this and nodded repeatedly, a great weight lifting from his heart,

replaced by infinite longing for the future position of Heir.

"Go. Act carefully and do not let anyone notice you." Yao Delong waved his hand.

Meng Lang felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. He bowed respectfully again and then, just as he had come,

slipped stealthily into the night and disappeared.

Silence returned to the side hall.

Yao Delong sat alone in the shadows, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the cold stone tabletop, making a light rhythmic sound.

Moonlight fell on half of his face, reflecting the flickering cold light in his deep eyes.

"God Burial Abyss... Scar... Mid Nascent Soul Stage... Moyang Sect..."

Each name and threat crossed his mind.

"Xiao Chen... Meng Bi..."

Killing intent, like a cold tide, silently surged and condensed in the depths of his eyes.

Three days passed quietly in Yao Delong's calm cultivation.

'A Prince of the Ba Xia Dynasty? The son of a Moyang Sect Hall Revered Master? So what if their backgrounds are deep?'

He sneered in his heart, 'I, Yao Delong, also have backing!

Although Revered Master is in secluded meditation attempting to break through to Void Refining, if he succeeds, he will be a pillar of the Sect!

Junior Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi treats me like his own nephew, and his affection is sincere! The Luoxia Peak lineage is also not to be trifled with!'

'As for the Sect rules...' A flash of ruthlessness crossed Yao Delong's eyes, 'On the arena, swords have no eyes.

As long as I don't take his life, if I destroy his Foundation and leave him paralyzed, who can do anything to me?'

Killing intent silently settled in the quiet room.

The Tianyan Battle Platform!

This was an ancient arena suspended above the peak of the main mountain, forged from a single, incredibly massive piece of Star Meteor Iron.

The surface of the battle platform was inscribed with countless profound runes, exuding an aura of vastness, solidity, and the suppression of all things.

At this moment, the circular stands around the battle platform were already packed with people, and the roar of voices was deafening!

Inner Sect Disciples, Outer Sect Disciples, deacons, and Elders had all come to watch the ceremony.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the ten extraordinary figures in the center of the battle platform—

The top ten strongest of this year's Core Disciple Ranking Battle!

On the high platform, Sect Head White Cloud Master sat in the center, his aura as deep as the sea.

On either side, the Peak Revered Masters were seated in order. Dan Chenzi's face was glowing with health,

Luo Baiya's face was gloomy, and other Peak Revered Masters like Ji Yanshuang had various expressions, their gazes scanning the ten people below.

Closer to the battle platform were the exclusive seats for the Sect's True Disciples, all of whom possessed extraordinary auras.